Long Sought

Long Sought

                Edytos (or, more commonly, Ed) was a member of the Seekers of Dytja. His group descended from those who first went north to find her, though they had long since veered to the east (so much so that they had once met members of the eastern Seekers). His role – as a young, healthy adult – was to travel ahead of the main group (which included many children and elderly) and seek any signs of Dytja. Thought it was rare, there were places Dytja had not been – or rather, places where she had not been noticed. The larger part of the Seekers would head to where she had spent time or performed great acts, to learn all they could.

                His initial investigation had found only rumours and legends that came from nearby – stories the Seekers had already found and recorded. Or, so Edytos thought – at times stories grew so muddled in the retelling that the true story was lost. It could still be that the stories originated in these lands, but had been changed with time.

                He had, however, managed to find a very promising lead. A fairly well off gentleman – living a comfortable retired life off his fortune – was well known for his interest in Dytja. Rumour had it that he’d researched the sources and variants of all local legends relating to her, collating the information into ‘true’ versions (or at least as close as he could come). He had also, it seemed, managed to collect some artefacts that related to the stories – and made a habit of debunking ‘relics’ that had been faked.

                The Seekers of Dytja did not have much interest in relics of her passage – merely in the stories she left behind. Still, Edytos was quite interested in seeing the objects and hearing their history – just as much as he was interested in hearing the gentleman’s version of the stories he himself had heard countless times.

                The gentleman’s name was Andrew, and he lived in the city of Penhammer – a city in the midst of a fertile plain and (more importantly) a great many trade routes.

*****

                “Welcome, Edytos!” said Andrew in greeting. He stood in the doorway of his mansion – a large but fairly ordinary home for the area, set in the midst of grounds thrice its size.

                “Thank you for agreeing to meet me,” replied Edytos.

                “I’ve heard rumours of the Seekers of Dytja,” Andrew said, beckoning Edytos inside, “but I did not expect to meet one in my lifetime.”

                “We have only just come to these lands,” responded Edytos as he followed Andrew through a series of corridors.

                “It’s good. I’m getting on in years – nearly seventy now – and I don’t think I’ll be around much longer,” replied Andrew.

                The pair came into a small lounge at the back of the house, which looked out upon the mansion’s extensive backyard. A pond sat roughly in the middle, with a short fence around it. Several children were at play, watched over by a middle-aged man.

                “They’re my great grandkids,” said Andrew, pointing out at the children. “And one of my sons, keeping an eye on them. I have quite a few visitors at this time of year, but we should be left undisturbed.”

                “That is good, I believe you have quite a few tales to tell me?” asked Edytos.

                “Yes I do, young man. I think I’ll start with the tale of Dytja and the so-called ‘hollow mountain’...”

*****

                Many hours (and several refreshments) later, Andrew sighed and said, “And that’s it. Well, in short. I have many notes and records of variations in the telling, but those are the closest I’ve come to figuring out the truth. Or, at least, the truth that was told.”

                “I can’t really thank you enough for sharing those tales,” said Edytos, closing his notebook. “Hopefully one of the families can come here and create copies of your notes – they should come through this area in the next year or so. In fact, I can think of several Seekers who would be happy to talk about the origins of those stories with you – I’m kind of sorry my job is only to head out first and collect small tidbits, to try and gain an idea of Dytja’s path.”

                “Well, lad, about that… I’m sure you’ll put it together soon, but I’ve figured out something myself – as you know, I’ve travelled all around here, north and south, east and west,” said Andrew.

                “Really? What?” asked Edytos, curious.

                “I’ll tell you in exchange for something – I want to hear the greatest deeds of Dytja. The stories all Seekers are taught (or at least get to hear). The most amazing things she has done in her eternal life on this world,” replied Andrew.

                “I’m not sure I’m the best to tell them – some Seekers specialise in telling the tales, actually; singing songs about her deeds or even full performances. But I do know many, it’s true. If you can forgive the poor telling I’ll tell them.”

                “Better that I hear them at all, lad. As terrible as it may sound to one so young, I feel my time approaching. I’d like to hear as much of the blueblood as I can.”

                “Very well, then. You tell me your secret, and I’ll tell you the greatest deeds of Dytja that are known to the Seekers – at least, those of us who travelled north then east. We hear little from those far away, and recording Dytja’s travels is not our most important aim.”

                “Agreed!” said Andrew, merrily. He held out his hand for Edytos to shake; Edytos took it and squeezed. Andrew squeezed in response, and the deal was struck (according to local custom, anyway).

                “So what is it that you know?” asked Edytos.

                “Dytja has not come to these lands, nor any further north, nor any to the east, in over a hundred years. We are beyond the circle she travels in.”

                Edytos looked at Andrew incredulously. It seemed unthinkable – but it was true; none of the legends originated from the land Edytos was searching. “But that means…” he began, unable to finish.

                “Yes lad,” replied Andrew. “You’re going to find her soon.”